Fitness Assessments

Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Importance of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Testing
Cardiorespiratory fitness is related to an individual's ability to use the large muscles for prolonged periods of dynamic, moderate-to-high intensity exercise. Level of cardiorespiratory fitness is dependent on the condition of the respiratory, cardiovascular and skeletal muscle systems. Analysis of cardiorespiratory fitness is important because of its relationship to health and wellness.

Method of Testing Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Deaconess LifeQuest utilizes the Rockport One Mile Walk Test or a three minute step test. (Company needs to have area large enough to complete a 1 mile walk.)

Flexibilty

Importance of Flexibility Testing
Flexibility is the ability to move a joint through its entire range of motion. Flexibility is not only important for athletic ability but also essential for activities of daily living. Range of motion is limited in a joint that is not flexible. If the structures of a joint are moved past the shortened range of motion, tissue injury occurs. Consequently, a person who is not flexible is more prone to injury.

Method of Testing Flexibility
Deaconess LifeQuest utilizes the American College of Sports Medicine Sit and Reach protocol for flexibility testing.

Muscular Strength and Endurance

Importance of Muscular Fitness Testing
Muscular strength and endurance improves and maintains the integrity of muscles and tendons, glucose tolerance (factor in the most common type of diabetes), fat-free body mass and resting metabolic rate (related to weight gain and risk of obesity), and bone mass (related to the risk of osteoporosis).

Method of Testing Muscular Endurance
A push-up and sit-up test is used to assess muscular endurance.

Method of Testing Muscular Strength
Assessment of grip strength is completed to evaluate muscular strength. A dynamometer is utilized for measurement of grip strength.